Folding step stool

ABSTRACT

A foldable step steel ( 10 ) includes a frame  12  having front and rear legs ( 14, 16 ) and top, middle, and bottom steps ( 34, 36, 38 ). A central step link ( 40 ) is coupled to the rear portion of each step ( 34, 36, 38 ) to support the steps when step stool ( 10 ) is unfolded and to control pivoting movement of the steps relative to front leg ( 14 ) during folding of step stool ( 10 ). A releasable latch ( 22 ) is coupled to a rear portion of top step ( 34 ) and configured to engage an upper cross strut ( 180 ) included in rear leg ( 16 ) to retain step stool ( 10 ) in an unfolded use position.

This claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Serial No. 60/115,059, filed Jan. 8, 1999, which isexpressly incorporated by reference herein and to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Serial No. 60/149,370, filed Aug. 13, 1999, which isexpressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a step stool, and particularly, to afolding step stool having legs that fold between an opened use positionand a closed storage position. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a folding step stool provided with a step support-and-releasesystem for the pivotable steps included in the step stool.

Step stools have a frame and one or more steps that individuals use forelevation when reaching for objects, painting walls, or any everydaytask where extra elevation would be helpful. Step stool frames are oftenfoldable for ease of storage while the step stool is not being used.

According to the present invention, a step stool includes a frame, stepscoupled to the frame, and a central step link coupled to the steps. Theframe includes a front leg and a rear leg coupled to the front leg andarranged to move relative to the front leg between an opened useposition and a closed storage position. The steps are coupled to thefront leg for pivotable movement between a horizontal position when therear leg is in the opened use position and a vertical position when thereal leg is in the storage position. The central step link is pivotablycoupled to a middle portion of the steps to support the steps when thestep stool is in the opened use position and to control simultaneousmovement of the steps relative to the front leg as the step stool isfolded to move between the use and storage positions.

In preferred embodiments. the rear leg further includes an upper crossstrut arranged to lie under and in engagement with the top step when thestep stool is in the opened use position. A spring-biased releasablelatch is pivotably coupled to a rear edge of the top step and arrangedto engage the upper cross strut when the front and rear legs are in theopened use position to retain the step stool in that position. Thereleasable latch can be operated manually by a user to disengage theupper cross strut to facilitate folding of the step stool.

A utility tray is positioned to lie above the top step and is pivotablycoupled to a pivot bracket that is coupled to the front and rear legs. Apair of tray links are pivotably coupled at upper ends to the tray andat lower ends to side portions of the top step. These tray links operateto raise and lower the utility tray in response to movement of the topstep during unfolding and folding of the step stool.

Additional features of the invention will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon consideration of the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments exemplifying the best mode ofcarrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figuresin which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a step stool in accordance withthe present disclosure showing a frame having front and rear legssituated in an opened use position and a pivot bracket coupled to thefront and rear legs, top, middle, and bottom steps pivotably coupled tothe front leg, a handle portion coupled to a top end of the front leg,the pivot bracket being positioned to lie between the top step and thehandle portion, and a utility tray pivotably coupled to the pivotbracket and positioned to lie above the top step;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the step stool of FIG. 1 showingthe rear leg including two spaced-apart rear leg members, an upper crossstrut coupled to the rear leg members and positioned to lie under andsupport a real portion of the top step, and a releasable latch pivotablycoupled to the rear portion of the top step and arranged to engage theupper cross strut when the front and rear legs of the step stool are inthe use position to retain the step stool in that position;

FIG. 3 is a right side elevation view of the step stool of FIG. 1showing a central step link coupled to rear portions of the top, middle,and bottom steps and one of two tray links coupled to the utility trayand to the top step;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of the step stool in the closedstorage position showing the utility tray positioned to lie in avertical storage position generally above the pivot bracket andgenerally below the handle portion;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the step stool in the closed storageposition of FIG. 4 showing the central step link coupled to rearportions of each of the steps and two laterally spaced-apart tray linkscoupled at lower ends to the top step and at upper ends to a centralportion of the utility tray;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged exploded assembly view of a portion of the frontleg, the bottom step, and a lower end of the central step link of FIG.1, showing the front leg including spaced-apart front leg members, feetconfigured to be mounted to lower ends of the front leg members, atubular step support extending between the front leg members to supportthe bottom step, and a pair of connectors positioned to lie in slotsformed in each front leg member and configured to cooperate with thestep supports to allow the bottom step to pivot on the step support whenthe central step link moves relative to the feet,

FIG. 7 is an assembled cross-sectional view taken along lines 7—7 ofFIG. 6 showing one front leg member including inner and outer faces andan aperture extending between the inner and outer faces, the tubularstep support engaging the inner face and including a passagewaytherethrough, the connector including a plug extending into the apertureand engaging the outer face, and a screw extending through the plug andinto the passageway of the tubular step support to couple the stepsupport to the front leg member;

FIGS. 8-11 show a sequence wherein the releasable latch coupled to therear portion of the top step is operated to disengage the latch from theupper cross strut of the rear leg to facilitate folding of the stepstool;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along lines 8—8 of FIG. 2 showing thereleasable latch coupled to the top step and a spring biasing the latchto cause the latch to pivot about a pin to a latched position engagingthe upper cross strut of the rear leg so as to couple the top step tothe rear leg, thereby retaining the step stool in the use position;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along lines 9—9 of FIG. 2 showing thereleasable latch having a finger-grip portion and a user gripping thefinger-grip portion to pivot the latch about a pivot point establishedby the pin in a counterclockwise direction, shown by the arrow, torelease the latch from engagement with the upper cross strut of the rearleg;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 9 showing the releasablelatch pivoted further by the user in the direction of the double arrowso that the latch is released from the upper cross strut to permit therear leg to be moved (to the left) toward the storage position;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 showing motionof the latch relative to the upper cross strut as a cam surface on a tipof the latch slides on an exterior surface of the upper cross strut asthe step stool is moved to assume the opened use position;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the underside of the step stool ofFIGS. 1-11 in the use position showing the central step link coupled toeach of the three steps, the releasable latch coupled to the rearportion of the top step, and a pair of short strut links positioned tolie under the top step wherein each strut link is pivotably coupled atone end to the upper cross strut and at an opposite end to the top step;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 12 showing anotherplacement of the two strut links under the top step; and

FIG. 14 is a rear elevation view similar to FIG. 5 showing the placementof the two strut links of FIG. 13 under the top step of the step stool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A foldable step stool 10 includes a frame 12 having a front leg 14, abracket 172 coupled to front leg 14, and a real leg 16 pivotably coupledto bracket 172 so that step stool 10 can be folded from an opened useposition shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to a closed storage position shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. Step stool 10 further includes three steps 20 and eachstep 20 is pivotably coupled to front leg 14. Steps 20 include a topstep 34, a middle step 36, and a bottom step 38.

Each step 20 is pivotably coupled to a central step link 40 that iscoupled to a rear portion of each of the steps 20 so as to support thesteps 20 in a horizontal orientation as shown in FIG. 3 upon movement ofstep stool 10 to the opened use position and to control pivotingmovement of steps 20 relative to front leg 14 during movement of stepstool 10 between the use and storage positions. A releasable latch 22 iscoupled to a rear portion of top step 34 and configured to engage anupper cross strut 180 included in rear leg 16 to retain step stool 10 inthe use position as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 8 and to be disengaged fromupper cross strut 180 as shown in FIGS. 9-11 to facilitate folding ofstep stool 10. A pair of strut links 101 are positioned to lie under topstep 34 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 12 and each strut link 101 is pivotablycoupled at one end to upper cross strut 180 and at an opposite end to amiddle portion of top step 34 to regulate motion of top step 34 relativeto real leg 16 during folding and unfolding of step stool 10.

Frame 12 of step stool 10 is foldable between an opened use position,shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which a bottom end 18 of front leg 14 isspaced-apart from a bottom end 24 of rear leg 16 and a closed orcollapsed storage position, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in which frontand rear legs 14, 16 are folded together. As shown in FIG. 1, front leg14 of frame 12 includes opposite front leg members 26, 28 each includinga bottom end 18 and an opposite top end 30.

A handle portion 32 extends between front leg members 26, 28 and steps20 are spaced apart from one another and arranged to lie between handleportion 32 and bottom end 18 of front leg 14. Steps 20 include threesteps (top step 34, middle step 36, and bottom step 38) coupled togetherby a central step link 40, as shown best in FIGS. 1-3, 5, and 12,although greater or fewer than three steps may be used. While front legmembers 26, 28 are preferably constructed of extruded aluminum, a widevariety of metallic and nonmetallic materials may be used to form frontleg members 26, 28.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-7, each front leg member 26, 28 includes afront surface 44, a back surface 46, side walls 48, 50 extending betweenfront and back surfaces 44, 46, and a hole 52 extending between sidewalls 48, 50. As best shown in FIGS. 4-6, side wall 48 includes a firsttrack 49 formed therein and side wall 50 includes a second tack 51formed therein. Tracks 49, 51 are each defined by a lip 53 and a floor55.

Feet 100 are formed to fit over lower ends 18 of front leg members 26,28. Each foot 100 includes a base 102 configured to rest upon agenerally flat surface (not shown) and a sleeve portion 104 defining acavity 106 sized to receive the bottom end of one of the leg members.Sleeve portion 104 is formed to include an aperture 108 therethroughthat is sized to receive a pin 110. Pin 110 is sized to extend throughaperture 108 and an aperture 112 formed in companion front leg member26, 28 to couple each foot 100 to one of the front leg members as shown,for example, in FIG. 6. Feet 100 are mounted on rear leg members 29, 31in a similar manner.

Three step supports 54, one of which is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, extendbetween and are coupled to side walls 50 of front leg members 26, 28.Step supports 54 are generally tubular and cylindrical in shape andinclude opposite ends 56, 58 formed to extend into second track 51 and apassageway 60 that extends between ends 56, 58. As shown in FIG. 7, ends56, 58 engage floor 55 of second tracks 51 and lip 53 of each track 51prevents generally horizontal movement of step support 54 relative tofront leg members 26, 28. Passageway 60 is positioned to lie in generalalignment with hole 52 of front leg members 26, 28.

Referring now to FIG. 6, front leg members 26, 28 are coupled to stepsupports 54 by a connector 62 that extends through hole 52 and intopassageway 60. Connector 62 includes a mount 64 and a screw 66. Mount 64is formed to include a post 68 sized to extend through hole 52, agenerally oval rim 70 extending from post 68, a seat 72 coupled to rim70, and a passageway 80 extending between seat 72 and post 68. Rim 70includes a top side 74, formed to engage floor 55, a bottom side 76,coupled to seat 72, and a perimeter edge 78 extending between top andbottom sides 74, 76. Perimeter edge 78 is sized to prevent rotation ofmount 64 within first track 49. Seat 72 includes an outer surface 82that faces away from rim 70 and is formed to include a recess 84therein. Recess 84 is defined by a base wall 86 and a side wall 88 95extending about base wall 86. Screw 66 extends through passageway 80formed through base wall 86. Screw 66 includes a head 90 formed forengagement with base wall 86 and a threaded shaft 92 formed to extendthrough passageway 80 and into passageway 60 to couple step support 54on front leg members 26, 28.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, handle portion 32 includes a top surface 114providing finger grips and extending between front leg members 26, 28.Handle portion 32 includes a shelf 120 spaced apart from top surface 114to receive miscellaneous items such as screws, nails, bolts, nuts, etc.It is within the scope of the present disclosure to form the shelf toinclude spaced-apart apertures or recesses (not shown) that are sized toreceive tool shafts (not shown).

Referring now to FIG. 1, a utility tray 42 is pivotably coupled to frame12 and positioned to lie in spaced-apart relation to and between topstep 34 and handle portion 32. Utility tray 42 includes a tray surface122 formed to include compartments 124 sized to receive nuts, bolts,screws, pens, rulers. and the like. It is within the scope of thepresent disclosure to form the utility tray to include a wide variety ofapertures and compartments, or a Generally flat surface.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, steps 20 of frame 12 are coupled to step supports54 and extend between side walls 48, 50 of front leg members 26, 28. Topstep 34 is positioned to lie in spaced-apart relation from tray 42 andbottom step 38 is positioned to lie between top step 34 and bottom end18 of front leg 14. Middle step 36, is positioned to lie between top andbottom steps 34, 38. Referring now to FIG. 6, each step 20 include asupport panel 95 having upper step surface 94. an underside surface 97,front and back panels 96, 98, and side panels 126, 128 that extend fromstep surface 94 toward end 18 to define a lip 129 coupled to theperimeter of support panel 95. Side panels 126,128 each include agenerally concave rim 132 defining a slot 130, as shown in FIG. 6.extending toward step surface 94. Each rim 132 rests and pivots uponrespective step support 54 when step stool 10 is moved between theopened and storage positions.

As shown in FIG. 6, back panels 98 of steps 20 are formed to includemounts 136, 138 that cooperate to define a space 139 configured toreceive a portion of central step link 40 therein. Each step 34, 36, 38is pivotably coupled to central step link 40 by a pivot pin 140. Pivotpin 140 snaps through apertures 144, 142 formed in central step link 40and mounts 136, 138 respectively, although a wide variety of pins, rods,and the like may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, central steplink 40 is positioned to lie in space 139 formed in top and middle steps34, 36, while central step link 40 is sized to terminate near itspivotable coupling to bottom step 38. In alternative embodiments, mounts136, 138 could be formed in back panel 98 and space 139 could run thelength of steps 20 such that the space 139 receives central step link40, thereby permitting step stool 10 to be folded substantially flat soas not to impede folding due to the thickness of central step link 40.Any termination of central step link 40 near its pivotable coupling tobottom step 38 would render it unnecessary for space 139 to run thewidth of bottom step 38.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 12, top step 34 includes flanges 192. Each oneof a pair of strut links 101 is pivotably coupled to flanges 192 at oneend and opposite ends are pivotably coupled to upper cross strut 180. Inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, strut links 101′ and flanges192′ are moved laterally toward the center of top step 34 to lie closerto one another as compared to the strut link and flange placement shownin FIGS. 5 and 12. In other embodiments, strut links 101 could berigidly connected to upper cross strut 180 and cross strut 180 pivotablycoupled to rear leg members 29, 31 to provide pivoting of strut links101 relative to rear leg members 29, 31.

As shown in FIG. 3, side panels 126, 128 of top step 34 are formed toinclude flanges 150 extending below lip 129 and away from step surface94. Each flange 150 is generally triangular in shape and includes frontand back edges 152, 154 converging at an apex 156. As shown in FIG. 8,back edge 154 of each flange 150 includes a lock portion 158 thatengages upper cross strut 180 of rear leg 16 when step stool 10 is inthe use position to prevent rear leg 16 from pivoting toward front leg14.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, a pair of tray links 160 is provided in stepstool 10 and each tray link 160 is coupled at a lower end 161 thereof bya pivot pin 162 to apex 156 of lower tray-link flange 150. As shown inFIG. 12, an upper end 163 of each tray link 160 is coupled to an uppertray-link flange 157 of tray 42 to couple tray 42 to top step 34 so thattray 42 is able to pivot relative to top step 34. Lower tray-link flange150 extends downwardly below side panel 128 of top step 34 as shown bestin FIG. 3 to allow pivot point 162 to lie further “below” top step 34 soas to facilitate folding movement of utility tray 42 relative to frontleg 14.

Rear leg 16 of frame 12 is coupled to front leg by a bracket 172 asshown in FIGS. 1-3. Bracket 172 lies adjacent to and is pivotablycoupled to utility tray 42. Bracket 172 further includes a pivot pin 174to permit pivoting movement of rear leg 16 relative to front leg 14,although a wide variety of pins, rods, and joint couplers may be used.Rear leg 16 includes first and second rear leg members 29, 31, uppercross strut 180, and a lower cross strut 182, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and5. Cross struts 180, 182 extend between and are coupled to rear legmembers 29, 31. Cross struts 180, 182 are coupled to rear leg members29, 31 in a manner similar to supports 54 of front leg 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-11, upper cross strut 180 includes a supportportion 184 and a lock tab 186. Support portion 184 is configured toengage top step 34 when frame 12 is in the use position as shown in FIG.8. Lock tab 186 of upper cross strut 180 engages releasable latch 22 inthe use position to block pivoting movement of rear leg 16 away fromfront leg 14 and to block top step 34 from pivoting upwardly. When frame12 is in the use position, steps 20 are in a first position wherein stepsurfaces 94 face upwardly, generally tangent with support portion 184 ofupper cross strut 180. As shown in FIG. 11, as step stool 10 is movingtoward the storage position, steps 20 are positioned so that stepsurfaces 94 are off-set from support portion 184 of upper cross strut180.

Top step 34 is also formed to include a cavity 164 that containsreleasable latch 22 as shown in FIG. 5. Cavity 164 is defined by an endwall 166 and opposing side walls 168 extending from step surface 94.Releasable latch 22 is positioned to lie within cavity 164. Top step 34also includes a post or spring mount 170 along a rear edge thereof, tobe described hereafter, as shown in FIGS. 5, 8, and 9.

Releasable latch 22 is formed to include apertures 194 through which apin 198 pivotably couples latch 22 to top step 34. Pin 198 defines apivot axis 216. As shown in FIG. 8, a coiled, compression spring 190 iscoupled at one end to latch 22 and at an opposite ends to spring mount170 formed on top step 34 to bias latch 22 in a generally downwarddirection 196. Latch 22 has an inner portion 200 which has a recess 202sized to receive upper cross strut 180. As shown in FIG. 1, upper crossstrut 180 is positioned to lie in recess 202, releasably retaining stepstool 10 in the use position. As shown in FIG. 11, latch 22 includes aramped portion 23 defining a cam surface 203 which cams latch 22 overupper strut 180 when step stool 10 moves to the use position. Latch 22also includes grip portion 188 as shown in FIGS. 9-11.

As shown in FIG. 10, to fold step stool 10, a user applies pressure in agenerally upward direction 195 to grip portion 188, disengaging latch 2from upper cross strut 180. The user then pivots top step 34 to agenerally vertical position as shown in FIG. 4, causing a correspondingmovement of middle and bottom steps 36, 38 due to the pivotable couplingof each step 34, 36, 38 to central step link 40.

As top step 34 moves to the generally vertical position, strut links 101pull upper cross strut 180 and thus rear leg 16 toward front leg 14.When step stool 10 is unfolded to the use position as shown in FIG. 1,strut links 101 push upper strut 180 and thus real leg 16 away fromfront leg 14 in response to downward pressure applied by a user on rearportion 35 of top step 34.

As top step 34 moves to the generally vertical position, central steplink 40 causes middle and bottom steps 36, 38 to pivot to also assume agenerally vertical position, with steps 34, 36, 38 remaining generallyparallel to each other throughout the range of pivoting motion. Whenstep stool 10 is in the storage position as shown in FIG. 4, centralstep link 40 is positioned to lie in space 139 between mounts 136, 138of steps 20.

Latch 22 includes a platform 210 including grip portion 188 includingdepressions 212 adapted for engagement with the fingers of a user and apair of arms 214 coupled to grip portion 188 and to step 34 forpivotable movement of platform 210 relative to step 34 about a pivotaxis 216 defined by pin 198, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 5 and 8-14.Step 34 includes a top surface 218 adapted to be stepped on by a userduring use of step stool 10, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 8-11.Platform 210 includes a top surface 220 that is generally co-planar withtop surface 218 of the step, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 8-11. Eacharm 214 includes a curved surface 226 positioned adjacent to step 34 toallow latch 22 to pivot about pivot axis 216, as shown, for example, inFIGS. 5, 8-11, and 14.

Latch 22 further includes a hook 228 appended to platform 210, as shown,for example, in FIGS. 2, 5, and 8-14. Hook 228. includes cam surface 23and is formed to include recess 202 sized to receive strut 180.

Latch 22 further includes a pair of spring housings 230 coupled toplatform 210 and configured to engage step 34, as shown, for example, inFIGS. 5, 8, and 12-14. Latch 22 includes a pair of springs 190, one ofwhich is shown, for example, in FIG. 8. Each spring 190 engagesrespective spring housing 230 and step 34 to bias hook 228 toward strut180, as shown, for example, in FIG. 8. Spring housing 230 includes acurved wall 232 and a shelf 236 coupled curved wall 232, as shown, forexample, in FIG. 8. Spring 190 includes coils 234 that engage curvedwall 232, as shown, for example, in FIG. 8. Shelf 236 includes a post242 coupled to a first end 238 of spring 190, as shown, for example, inFIG. 8. Post 170 of step 34 is coupled to a second end 240 of spring190, as shown, for example, in FIG. 8.

Although the invention has been disclosed in detail with reference tocertain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist withinthe scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A step stool comprising a frame including a frontleg and a rear leg coupled to the front leg to move relative to thefront leg between an opened position and a closed storage position,steps coupled to the front leg to move between a horizontal use positionwhen the rear leg is in the opened use position and a storage positionwhen the rear leg is in the storage position, a step link pivotablycoupled to the steps to coordinate simultaneous movement of the stepsbetween the use and storage positions, a tray pivotably coupled to theframe to move between a horizontal use position when the rear leg is inthe opened use position and a storage position, and a tray linkpivotably coupled to one of the steps and to the tray to coordinatesimultaneous movement of the tray between the use and storage positionswhen the steps move between the use and storage positions.
 2. The stepstool of claim 1, wherein the tray includes an upper side configured tosupport objects thereon and an under side facing away from the upperside and the tray link is coupled to the under side of the tray.
 3. Thestep stool of claim 2, wherein the under side of the tray includes adownwardly extending flange and the tray link is coupled to thedownwardly extending flange.
 4. The step stool of claim 1, wherein thetray includes a first end pivotably coupled to the frame and a secondend spaced apart from the firs tend and extending away from the frameand the tray link is coupled to the tray between the first and secondends of the tray.
 5. The step stool of claim 1, where one of the stepsincludes a downwardly extending flange and the tray link is pivotablycoupled to the downwardly extending flange.
 6. The step stool of claim5, wherein the step further includes a support panel and a downwardlyextending lip coupled to a perimeter of the support panel and thedownwardly extending flange is coupled to the lip.
 7. The step stool ofclaim 1, further comprising another tray link pivotably coupled to thetray and one of the steps in a position substantially parallel to theother tray link.
 8. The step stool of claim 7, wherein the tray linksare coupled to an underside of the tray.
 9. The step stool of claim 1,wherein the frame further includes a strut coupled to the rear leg, thestep stool further comprising a strut link pivotally coupled to one ofthe steps and the strut to coordinate movement of the rear leg and thesteps.
 10. The step stool of claim 9, further comprising a latch coupledto the step, wherein the latch couples to the strut when the rear leg isin the opened position.
 11. The step stool of claim 9, wherein the steplink, tray link, and strut link are coupled to the same step.
 12. Thestep stool of claim 11, where a latch is coupled to the same leg as thestep link, tray link, and strut link.
 13. The step stool of claim 1,wherein the step link and the tray link are coupled to an uppermost oneof the steps.
 14. The step stool of claim 13, wherein the uppermost stepextends between the front and rear legs.
 15. The step stool of claim 1,wherein the frame further includes a bracket providing the couplingbetween the front and rear legs and the tray is coupled to the bracket.16. A step stool comprising a frame including a front leg, a rear legcoupled to the front leg to move relative to the front leg between anopened position and a closed storage position, and a strut coupled tothe rear leg, a step pivotably coupled to the front leg to move betweena horizontal use position and a storage position, a monolithic strutlink coupled to the strut and the step to move the rear leg to theclosed storage position upon movement of the step to the storageposition.
 17. The step stool of claim 16, wherein the step includes afront end pivotably coupled to the front leg and a rear end spaced apartfrom the front end and the strut link is coupled to the step between thefront and rear ends.
 18. The step stool of claim 17, wherein the strutlink includes a first end coupled to the step and an opposite, secondend coupled to the strut, the first end of the strut link is positionedto lie between the second end of the strut link and the rear end of thestep in the storage position of the step, and the first end of the strutlink is positioned to lie between the second end of the strut link andthe front end of the step in the use position of the step.
 19. The stepstool of claim 17, wherein the strut link is coupled to the step atapproximately a midpoint between the front and rear ends of the step.20. The step stool of claim 17, wherein the step includes a right sideextending between the front and rear ends and a lift side extendingbetween the front and rear ends and the strut link is coupled to thestep between the right and left sides.
 21. The step stool of claim 16,further comprising another step and a step link pivotably coupled to thesteps to coordinate movement therebetween.
 22. The step stool of claim21, wherein the strut link is pivotably coupled to one of the steps torotate about an axis of rotation and the step link is pivotably coupledto said step to rotated about the same axis of rotation.
 23. The stepstool of claim 21, further comprising another strut link pivotablycoupled to the strut and one of the steps, wherein the step link ispositioned to lie between the strut links.
 24. The step stool of claim16, wherein the strut link is formed to include a strut-receivingaperture and the strut is positioned to lie in the strut-receivingaperture.
 25. The step stool of claim 16, further comprising a latchpositioned to couple the step to the strut, the latch being spaced apartfrom the strut link.
 26. The step stool of claim 16, where the strutlink is pivotably coupled to an underside of the step.
 27. The stepstool of claim 26, herein the underside of the step includes a flangeextending downwardly in the use position of the step, and the strut linkis pivotably coupled to the flange.
 28. The step stool of claim 16,wherein the unitary strut link and the strut are positioned to lie ingenerally perpendicular relation to each other.
 29. A step stoolcomprising a frame including a front leg, rear legs coupled to the frontleg, and a strut coupled at its ends to the rear legs, the front andrear legs being configured to move relative to one another between anopened use position and a closed storage position. a step coupled to thefront leg to pivot on the front leg when the front and rear legs aremoved between the opened and storage positions, the step including afront edge pivotably coupled to the front leg and a rear edge spacedapart from the front edge, and latch coupled to the step, the latchbeing positioned to engage the strut when the front and rear legs are inthe opened use position, the latch being coupled to the rear edge of thestep.
 30. The step stool of claim 29, the latch is formed to include arecess sized to receive the strut when engaged therewith.
 31. The stepstool of claim 29, wherein the step includes a right side extendingbetween front and rear ends and a left side extending between the frontand rear ends and spaced apart from the right side and the latch iscoupled to the step between the right and left sides.
 32. The step stoolof claim 31, wherein in the latch is coupled to the step at anapproximate midpoint between the right and left sides.
 33. The stepstool of claim 29, wherein the latch includes a cam surface positionedto engage the strut as the rear leg moves from the storage position tothe opened use position and the engagement of the cam surface with thestrut pivots the latch permitting the latch to couple to the strut. 34.The step stool of claim 33, wherein the latch includes a latch memberdefining the cam surface and a recess sized to receive the strut and aspring positioned between the latch member an the step to urge the latchtoward the strut.
 35. The step stool of claim 33, wherein the latchincludes a first end pivotably coupled to the step, a second enddefining the cam surface, and a recess sized to receive the strut andpositioned to lie between the first and second ends.
 36. The step stoolof claim 29, wherein the latch includes a recess sized to receive ausers fingers, the latch is pivotable between a latched positionsecuring the step to the strut and an unlatched position permitting thestep to move relative to the strut.
 37. The step stool of claim 29,wherein the latch includes a platform including a grip portion includingdepressions adapted for engagement with the fingers of a user and an armcoupled to the grip portion and to the step for pivotable movement ofthe platform relative to the step about a pivot axis.
 38. The step stoolof claim 37, wherein the latch further includes a spring housing coupledto the platform and a spring that engages the spring housing and thestep.
 39. The step stool of claim 38, wherein the spring housingincludes a curved wall and the spring is a coiled compression springincluding coils that engage the curved wall.
 40. The step stool of claim38, wherein the spring housing includes a shelf coupled to the curvedwall, the spring includes a first end engaging the shelf and a secondend engaging the step.
 41. A step stool comprising a frame including afront leg, rear legs coupled to the front leg, and a strut coupled atits ends to the rear legs, the front and rear legs being configured tomove relative to one another between an opened use position and a closedstorage position, a step coupled to the front leg to pivot on the frontleg when the front and rear legs are moved between the opened storagepositions, and a latch coupled to the step, the latch being position toengage the strut when the front and rear legs are in the opened useposition, the latch including a cam surface positioned to engage thestrut as the rear leg moves from the storage position to the opened useposition, the engagement of the cam surface with the strut pivoting thelatch permitting the latch to couple to the strut.
 42. The step stool ofclaim 41, wherein the latch includes a latch member defining the camsurface and a recess sized to receive the strut and a spring positionedbetween the latch member and the step to urge the latch toward thestrut.
 43. The step stool of claim 41, wherein the latch includes afirst end pivotably coupled to the step, a second end defining the camsurface, and a recess sized to receive the strut and positioned to liebetween the first and second ends.
 44. The step stool of claim 41,wherein the latch includes a platform including a grip portion includingdepressions adapted for engagement with the fingers of a user and an armcoupled to the grip portion and to the step for pivotable movement ofthe platform relative to the step about a pivot axis.
 45. The step stoolof claim 44, wherein the step includes a top surface adapted to bestepped on by a user during use of the step stool and the platformincludes a top surface that is generally co-planar with the top surfaceof the step.
 46. The step stool of claim 44, wherein the latch furtherincludes a pin that is coupled to the step and the arm and defines thepivot axis.
 47. The step stool of claim 44, wherein the arm includes acurved surface positioned adjacent to the step to allow the latch topivot about the pivot axis.
 48. The step stool of claim 44, wherein thelatch further includes a hook appended to the platform and the hookincludes the cam surface and is formed to include a recess sized toreceive the strut.
 49. The step stool of claim 48, wherein the latchfurther includes a spring housing coupled to the platform and a springthat engages the spring housing and the step to bias the hook toward thestrut.
 50. The step stool of claim 41, wherein the latch furtherincludes a spring housing and a spring that engages the spring housingand the step.
 51. The step stool of claim 50, wherein the spring housingincludes a curved wall and the spring is a coiled compression springincluding coils that engage the curved wall.
 52. The step stool of claim51, wherein the spring housing includes a shelf coupled to the curvedwall, the spring includes a first end engaging the shelf and a secondend engaging the step.
 53. The step stool of claim 50, wherein thespring includes a first end and a second end, the spring housingincludes a first post coupled to the first end of the spring, and thestep includes a second post coupled to the second end of the spring. 54.A step stool comprising a frame having a first leg including a pair ofleg members, a second leg pivotably coupled to the first leg andconnectors coupling the strut to the leg, a strut extending between theleg members of the first leg, members of the first leg the first andsecond legs being configured to move relative to one another between anopened use position and a closed storage position and a step coupled toone of the first and second legs to pivot on said leg when the first andsecond legs are moved between the opened and storage positions, the legmembers of the first leg being formed to include a track having lips anda floor, the connectors being positioned to lie in the track.
 55. Thestep stool of claim 54, wherein each tack has a width and the connectorhas a length greater than the width of the track to prevent theconnector from rotating in the track.
 56. The step stool of claim 54,wherein each of the leg members of the first leg is formed to include asecond track and opposite ends of the strut are positioned to lie in therespective second track.
 57. The step stool of claim 54, wherein thestrut is rigid without deforming when the first and second legs movebetween the use and storage positions.